Intergalactic Cookbook – When Worlds Collide – Recipe#6 Herb Loaf

Cat invited Wick to a meal the first time they met. Pebble warily welcomed the mysterious stranger to their home. Among other Oaken culinary delights, she offered this garlicky herb loaf. Buy your copy of the novel today on Kindle to get the whole story.

Ingredients:

Herb Loaf:

·        4 cups of unbleached flour  

·        1 packet quick-rise yeast

·        2 tsp salt

·        1 tbsp each of dried parsley, chives, and oregano

·        3-4 cloves of minced garlic

·        1 ½ cup warm water

·        2 tbsp olive oil

For topping:

·        1 egg mixed with 1 tbsp water (egg wash)

·        1-2 tbsp of a blend of 2 or 3 of your favourite fresh herbs (Pebble used rosemary and sage) chopped fine

·        A good sprinkle of coarse sea salt

Directions:

1)     In a large bowl, mix flour, dry yeast, salt, dried herbs, and minced garlic. Once blended, add warm water and olive oil.

2)     Mix all ingredients – the dough should be slightly sticky.

3)     Cover the bowl with a clean tea/kitchen towel and place in a warm spot for 10-15 minutes.

4)     Transfer dough to a lightly greased baking pan (ideally a loaf pan of some sort). The dough will not have risen much at this point. Re-cover with the tea towel and allow to rest for 30-45 minutes until roughly doubled in size.

5)     Turn oven on to 400°F.

6)     Once the dough has risen, brush the egg wash over the top of the loaf. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and a generous pinch of coarse salt.

7)     Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.

8)     Allow the loaf to cool slightly in the pan before slicing. Delicious slathered in softened butter, cream cheese, or just on its own.